Taxes likely to rise in West Chester

CHESTER COUNTY

Taxes likely to rise in W. Chester

WEST CHESTER Taxes for residents in the West Chester Area School District may increase to help fund an expected district budget gap of nearly $9 million for the coming school year, according to the district.

The preliminary budget, approved by the school board on Wednesday, totals $226.2 million, almost $7 million more than this year's budget.

The school board will be able to increase taxes by 1.9 percent and will apply for exceptions giving them a further 1.1 percent increase, though Board President Rick Swalm said they might not use the exceptions and would try to "minimize any possible tax increase."

Real estate tax rates could increase by 3 percent for Chester County residents and 3.2 percent for Delaware County residents, the district said.

The 2015-16 spending increase is mainly due to expenses outside the district's control, including mandated expenses for the state pension program, special education funding, and charter school tuitions, the district said.

"We will be working hard over the next few months to prepare a final budget that is the most efficient and supports our programs and initiatives for our students," said Superintendent Jim Scanlon. - Justine McDaniel